Blogging about life in Minnesota, raising our six kids with Down syndrome while battling Breast Cancer.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says, "Oh shit! She's up!"

Thursday, June 19, 2008

What does your blog title mean?

Naming one's blog is a task that some people put a lot of thought into, while others prefer to just come up with a couple clever words that sound fun together. Some blog titles make it clear what the theme of the blog is, while others are a bit more ambiguous.

My title, "Garden of Eagan", is one of those that I don't think is completely obvious. While our yard is definitely beautiful, I wouldn't call it a garden. If someone were to do a google search about blogging and gardens, my title would come up somewhere in their search. Sadly, I do very little gardening. Instead I prefer to "un-garden", which is what I call it when I try out various plants to see which ones die the fastest in our yard.

I chose my blog name because it describes what I'm trying to do with my LIFE. I also included my favorite quote, "If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone." My mission in life for the past several years has been to try new things, and in order to do that, you have to step out of your comfort zone. You have to put yourself out there a little bit, take some risks.

The first time I decided to take a big risk was at the age of 17 when, unbeknownst to my parents, or even a single one of my friends, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. I didn't tell a single person I was going to meet with a recruiter, or take the asvab's. Since I was only 17 my parents needed to sign for me. When my recruiter and I sat down to talk to them about it, the first thing my mom asked was, "How many of your friends are doing this?" She was sure this was one of those "everyone else is doing it." kinds of things. When she realized this was all on my own, she was willing to sign.

Stepping out on a limb...yeah, I've done that a few times in my life. Most of the time I've had good results, but there have been a couple that were not-so-great. Like the time I decided to audition for the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. HA! Like I thought I had the kind of talent and SCHOOLED TRAINING required in a place like that! Oh, to be a fly on the wall and hear what was said after my audition! LOL

But the good results far outweighed the bad. I don't remember exactly how this came about, but when I was 21 years old I spoke in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capital building about the closing of the State Hospitals for adults with disabilities. (they had a more horrible name at that time.) I think it's interesting that way back then God found a way to stick me into a position of advocacy for a group of people I *thought* I knew quite well, but would soon become far more intimate with! Funny how God does stuff like that.

And so, I spend my days tending to my "garden" that is my life. Growing in my relationship with God, while at the same time growing myself as well. Planting some seeds here and there, watering them with life experiences that aren't always easy, then sitting back to watch the flowers bloom with the changes God brings about by them.

4 comments:

Well....My actually name is Christina and I have had a lot of crazy things happen to me in my 31 years. A friend from high school used to make this silly voice and go "Kwisteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeena" when she would see me. So when I was thinking of what I would name my blog that naturally came to mind and I just threw in the Kwaziness cause it looked cute together.

Good question. I really like yours. My blog incorporates my name (Jen), initials (JRS) and a word that struck a chord in me. Regeneration (or ReJenerationS) is about healing on spiritual, emotional and physical levels. For my own growth as a human Being, for my family, and as a mother of a child with a disability, it works for me. Honestly, it just popped into my head and I decided right away that it would be the right choice.

I entitled my blog "Adventures in Homemakerland" for several reasons. I wanted something catchy; something that gave a nod to my love of literature, especially, children's literature (aka Alice in Wonderland); and something that spoke to the surrealness and humor of being a homemaker in our modern culture. So that's why I chose the title I did. Interesting though, I started my blog thinking it would be an advice blog but it has turned into more of a personal journal and a place for me to talk about my failures, doubts and struggles. Hmmm.